Geranium maculatum plant named `Elizabeth Ann`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Geranium maculatum plant named `Elizabeth Ann`, characterized by its vigorous growth rate; upright and freely branching plant habit; brownish red stem color; unique chocolate brown leaf color; numerous single lavender flowers; and brown peduncles and pedicels.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of HardyGeranium plant, botanically known as Geranium maculatum, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name `Elizabeth Ann`.

The new cultivar was discovered and selected by the inventor fromseedling progeny from a cross of unidentified selections of Geraniummaculatum in an outdoor production area in Baltimore, Md.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by divisions taken atBaltimore, Md., and Royersford, Pa., has shown that the unique featuresof this new Hardy Geranium are stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Elizabeth Ann`. These characteristicsin combination distinguish `Elizabeth Ann` as a new and distinctcultivar:

1. Vigorous growth rate, upright plant habit, freely branching.

2. Brownish red stem color.

3. Unique chocolate brown leaf color. During the spring and summer,foliage maintains brown coloration in partial sun and full sunexposures. Foliage turns reddish brown in autumn. Petioles, brown.

4. Numerous single lavender flowers. Plants flower throughout springuntil summer and may reflower in the autumn.

5. Brown peduncle and pedicel color.

6. Plants usually do not become dormant during the winter.

The cultivar `Elizabeth Ann` has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, daylength and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view of atypical plant of `Elizabeth Ann`.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet comprises a close-up viewof a typical flowers of `Elizabeth Ann`.

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet comprises a close-upview of typical leaves of `Elizabeth Ann`. Foliage and flower colors inthe photographs may appear different from the actual colors due to lightreflectance.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in Royersford, Pa., under conditions which approximate commercialfield practice during the spring. In the following description, colorreferences are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chartexcept where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

Classification:

Botanical.--Geranium maculatum cv. `Elizabeth Ann`.

Commercial.--Hardy Geranium.

Parentage:

Male parent.--Unidentified selection of Geranium maculatum.

Female parent.--Unidentified selection of Geranium maculatum.

Propagation:

Type.--By divisions.

Time to initiate and develop roots.--About 14 days at 24° C.

Rooting habit.--Thick and freely branching.

Plant description:

General appearance.--Upright growth habit, inverted triangle.Appropriate for 15-cm containers.

Growth rate.--Rapid, vigorous.

Plant height.--About 48 cm.

Plant width.--About 32 cm.

Branching habit.--Freely, mostly basally branching. Usually about 8 to10 lateral branches per plant. Pinching, or removal of the terminalapex, is not required.

Lateral branch length.--About 25 cm.

Internode length.--About 1.5 cm.

Stem color.--199A with hints of 183A.

Foliage description.--Arrangement: Opposite or single. Shape: Generallypalmate, deeply lobed. Apex: Acuminate. Base: Hastate. Length: About 5cm. Width: About 10 cm. Texture: Slightly pubescent on upper surface.Margin: Incised, deeply lobed. Color: Young and fully expanded leaves,upper surface: 200A. Young and fully expanded leaves, lower surface:200D. Venation, upper surface: 144B. Venation, lower surface: 144C.Petiole: Length: About 5 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Color: 177A.Durability to rain, wind and stress conditions: Moderate.

Flowering Description:

Flowering habit.--Single, upright flowers arranged in umbels with 4 to12 flowers per umbel.

Natural flowering season.--Recurrent, spring until summer. Plants mayreflower in the autumn.

Flower longevity.--Flowers last about 5 days on the plant. Flowersself-cleaning.

Flowers borne.--Flower buds develop in apical leaf axils. Umbels aredisplayed above the foliage. Flowers face outward to upward.

Umbel diameter.--About 7 cm.

Umbel depth (height).--About 5 cm.

Flowers.--Shape: Rounded, 5 -- petaled. Diameter: About 3.5 cm. Depth(height): About 7 mm.

Petals.--Shape: Obovate with obtuse apex and cuneate base. Aspect: Flat.Length: About 1.8 cm. Width: About 1.5 cm. Texture: Smooth. Margin:Entire. Color: Opening flower, upper surface: 87C. Opening flower, lowersurface: 84B. Opened flower, upper surface: 88D, becoming darker, 93C,with subsequent development fading to near white at the point of petalattachment, giving an overall appearance of a whitish eye in the fullyopened flower. Opened flower, lower surface: 85A. Peduncle (umbel stem):Angle: Erect to 25° to vertical axis. Texture: Slightly pubescent.Color: 177A.

Pedicel (individual flower stem).--Angle: About 25° to vertical axis.Length: About 8.5 mm. Texture: Slightly pubescent. Color: 174B.

Flower bud.--Shape: Elliptical. Length: About 7 mm. Diameter: About 4mm. Color: 144A.

Sepals.--Shape: Elliptical with acute apex. Arrangement: Rosette.Quantity: 5. Length: About 1 cm. Width: About 4 mm. Texture: Pubescent.Margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: 144B. Lower surface: 144A.

Reproductive organs.--Androecium: Stamen number: Ten. Anther size: About1.5 mm. Anther color: 8C. Pollen color: 7B, moderate. Gynoecium: Pistilnumber: 1. Pistil length: About 1 cm. Stigma shape: Five stigmaticwhorled branches. Stigma color: 16A. Style length: About 5 mm. Stylecolor: 151B.

Seed.--Shape: Oval. Length: About 3 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Color:200C.

Disease resistance: No fungal, bacterial nor viral problems common toHardy Geraniums have been observed on plants of the new Hardy Geraniumunder commercial conditions.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Geranium maculatumplant named `Elizabeth Ann`, as illustrated and described.